1

Tweet

Chapter 8: Oh, Hello December

I am almost one-eighth finished my university career. When I put it that way, the idea that my first semester at Carleton is almost over is positively terrifying.

When I think about how I’ve already spent three full months halfway across the country in a new city, it’s still positively terrifying.

I met December with mixed feelings this year. On one hand, I am glad that this semester has gone by so quickly, because by the time I return to Calgary on Dec. 22, I’ll be more than ready to come home to friends, family and real food.

On the other hand, I have no clue where this fall went! I’m already finished classes, and my finals start in T-minus seven days. Uh-oh.

This may change after I write my four essay-filled finals, but right now, I’ve got to say that the verdict on my first semester of university is pretty positive.

I’ve met so many amazing people, learned a ton and really broke out of my shell. I’ve also managed to maintain close to the same grades as I did in high school.

Throughout my three years at E.P. Scarlett, I kept an average of over 90 per cent in the majority of my courses. I was told that would change when I got to university. The course work was supposed to be heavier, there was going to be a lot more reading, and there was going to be ample opportunity for me to mess things up.

All of that was true. My marks did drop, but not by much. The course work was definitely heavier – I have read more in the last three months than I have in my whole life combined. I’ve probably demolished a small forest with the amount of notes I’ve taken, and it’s been very tempting at times to skip class or slack off on my readings.

However, I’ve also discovered that it’s manageable. It’s a lot of work, but university isn’t the big, scary thing I thought it was going to be. I don’t find my courses to be particularly harder than last year, but they are taught differently than high school, and that’s what makes them more challenging.

As I prepare for exams, I’m realizing that all the work I put in over the semester is going to pay off. I’ve taken good notes, kept up with my readings, and somehow, managed to maintain at least an A- average in all but one of my courses.

There were nights when I fell asleep on my textbooks and mornings where I’d had two or three coffees before even getting to class, but it’s all going to be worth it if I fare well on my exams.

This doesn’t mean I didn’t have fun this semester, because I’ve had an unreal experience so far in Ottawa. However, I’m at Carleton to become a journalist, and that requires a very large amount of schoolwork.

I’m going to have my face buried in the books from now until my last final on Dec. 21. See ya when I emerge in the New Year, rested and ready to do this all over again.